Monthly update

This has been a very busy month, especially emotionally.  Given that, here is my next monthly update to my successes and failures with my new year's resolutions:

1.  Lose 123 50 pounds.  I actually have no idea where I stand on this.  But given the full feeling in my belly at the moment, I am going to guess I made no progress on this this month.
2.  Read at least 1 book a month.  At least one of them must be a self help book but not all can be self help.  When Love Is Not Enough.  Great book.  And it made me feel so glad that my child is not RAD.  Really.  There is no way I could make all the adjustments she suggests.  I take my hat off to all those who are raising children with RAD.  I also started a mystery book.  I think it is called Port Mortuary.  I am blanking on the author and too lazy to run upstairs to look.  It is a Kay Scarpetta book.
3.  Write the next great American novel a short story.  Really thinking this might be one of those resolutions that needs to come off the list.
4.  Find a new job.  I applied for 3 jobs this month.  The one I really wanted -- and was super qualified for -- decided to hire someone else.  Without going through a hiring process.  She offered the job to someone who has no experience, no education, and no certifications in the field.  All of which I have.  The second one I interviewed for on Friday.  I liked it.  I would be interested in the job.  But I can not afford an $11,000 pay cut (it is not like I make $100,000 and can cut back on a few things.  I have not heard back from the 3rd place I submitted an application to.  But at least I got off my ass and made a few attempts this month.
5.  Move.  I was so hopeful this month.  But back to square one on this one too.
6.  Buy my first home.  Again, this one has to wait until 4 & 5 are done.
7.  Pay off all credit cards FIA credit card.  Realistically I made no progress on this one.  But I am hopeful that I have just come up with a quick resolution to this one.  Just trying to hammer out the details to it.
8.  Make at least one pair of earrings a week.  Really looking like this one might be another one of the resolutions that needs to come off -- but really this one shouldn't be that difficult to accomplish.
9.  Get at least 8 hours of sleep at least 4 times per week.  I made some serious progress on this one.  Immediately following spring break I committed to going to bed no later than 11pm each night.  And for the most part I have.  And since my alarm goes off at 7:30am and I roll out of bed at 8am, this is good.  Honestly, there were a few nights the tiny gerbil wheels in my head were spinning too much and I just could not get myself to bed.  But I am not letting the internet and TV be the reason I am sleep deprived.
10. Blog at least 15 times per month.  Another successful month.
11.  Get child enrolled in a sport. She has been going to Jump Rope Club this month.  And her first competition is in a few weeks.  I also signed her up for summer camp which includes swimming every single day.  She is super excited.  I am freaking out about all that chlorine in her hair.  She has a swim cap but will she wear it when I am not there to harass her about it?
12.  Get involved with a charity. I decided to take a new approach with this.  In the past when I got involved with volunteering I was making a commitment for years.  I would get trained and commit my time for years.  Hours each week.  Every week.  For years.  But my life just does not allow for that right now.  But Ladybug and I did walk in the One for One campaign.  So I contributed.  I volunteered.  I am counting that as a win.
13.  Refinish the new kitchen table.  Haven't started yet.  But I want to.
14.  Enroll in a creative class -- writing, jewelry making, pottery...  Nope.
15.  Start a 529 account.  Not yet.  Realistically I need to resolve some serious money issues before I can start putting money away.
16.  Clean the house once a month.  Yes.  But in the spirit of being honest I will also say that my living room looks like a tornado hit right now.
17.  Eat out no more then 2 times per month.  I made progress.  I didn't meet the goal.  But I ate out only 4 times this month.  That is a good decrease.  I will try harder next month.
18.  Call my friends and family more often -- rely on the internet less.  This one needs to be removed because I am doing so well with it.
19.  Start training for the Boston Marathon.  I know this seems out of the blue for most but it has been a long term dream of mine.  This still needs to wait until #1 is under control.
20.  Fold and put away the laundry within 24 hours of washing it each week.  If you could see my bedroom floor right now you would have no doubt at what a failure I have been at this one.
21.  Buy a new camera and take more photos of Ladybug.  I did a fair job at this one.  Not good enough but okay.
22.  Pay all bills on time. Not perfect but I did fairly well on this one.  The real problem is that I need more money -- or less bills.
23.  Become caffeine free.  Overall good on this one.  I mean, I had some sodas but not because I was trying to pour caffeine into my body (most days).

So some success and some failure.  Check in again next month.

Mean Mama